Manchester City has secured the services of Hugo Viana as their next director of football, marking a significant move for the club. Viana, who will officially take over in July 2025, will replace long-time director Txiki Begiristain, who is retiring after 12 successful years.
This decision comes after intense competition, with Newcastle United also showing keen interest in acquiring Viana for a similar role. However, City moved quickly and decisively, ensuring that the 41-year-old Portuguese executive would be working at the Etihad.
Manchester City fans will be happy with his move, as it secures a successful transition into another era in the background operations of their football. In today’s football, directors of football are almost just as important as the coaching staff as they help to balance the sporting side of the club and secure signings.
The fans will however need to purchase Manchester City tickets from an online resale store in order to continue to support their team.
It will be a smooth transition come July 2025 from a legend to a popular name in the game
Txiki Begiristain, who is set to retire, leaves behind a remarkable legacy. Having joined Manchester City in 2012, the Spaniard helped transform the club into one of the most dominant forces in world football. Under his guidance, City has enjoyed an incredible period of success, winning multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and even their first-ever Champions League trophy. His contributions to the club cannot be overstated.
Despite this success, Begiristain has chosen to step down at the age of 60, a decision he actually considered making five years ago. However, due to City’s rising dominance and constant success, he decided to stay on. Now, as he prepares for his exit, the club has made sure there will be a smooth transition with Viana, who will begin working closely with Begiristain before fully taking over in July 2025.
His replacement, Hugo Viana is a name that many football fans might recognize. He was a midfielder who played for several clubs, including Sporting Lisbon, Newcastle United, and Valencia before transitioning into football management. After retiring from playing, Viana joined Sporting Lisbon as their director of football, where he made a name for himself in the executive world.
At Sporting, Viana played a significant role in shaping the club’s recent success. Under his leadership, Sporting won two Portuguese league titles in four years and regained their status as one of the country’s top teams. His ability to identify talent and manage resources effectively has earned him recognition across Europe, and it is no surprise that both Manchester City and Newcastle United were eager to bring him on board.
Manchester City’s decision to sign Hugo Viana was not made lightly. Txiki Begiristain played a major role in identifying Viana as the right candidate to continue his work at the club. Viana’s success at Sporting Lisbon, particularly in building a competitive team with limited resources, impressed the City hierarchy. They believe his experience and vision will help continue City’s success on both the domestic and international stages.
Moreover, Viana’s work at Sporting shows that he has a keen eye for talent, which is crucial for Manchester City as they look to maintain their dominance in the Premier League and beyond. With City regularly competing for trophies and aiming to stay ahead of their rivals, bringing in someone who can navigate their transfers and contracts is essential. Even as they seek to win the battle against the Premier League in the FFP case.
Newcastle, now backed by wealthy owners, has ambitions to break into the elite group of English football. They also saw the potential in Hugo Viana and were eager to bring him in as part of their project. Newcastle has been investing heavily in both players and infrastructure, hoping to challenge the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal for Premier League and other domestic honours.
However, Manchester City’s stature and Viana’s familiarity with working at top clubs made the decision easier for him. While Newcastle offers an exciting project, City provides a stable platform for immediate success. Viana’s choice to join Manchester City over Newcastle shows the Manchester-based club’s continued appeal to football professionals, both on and off the field.
For Manchester City, signing Hugo Viana represents a continuation of the club’s commitment to excellence all around their club. With Begiristain leaving behind such a significant legacy, there was always going to be pressure on City to find the right person to fill his shoes. By bringing in Viana, they have ensured that the club remains in safe hands.
Begiristain’s shoes will always be quite big for anyone to fill
As Viana prepares to step in, it is important to acknowledge the incredible work done by Txiki Begiristain. Under his watch, Manchester City has become one of the most successful football clubs in the world. His role in securing top talent, managing the squad, and ensuring the club’s long-term success has been very invaluable.
Begiristain’s 12 years at Manchester City have been filled with silverware and glory. During his tenure, the club won seven Premier League titles, several domestic cups, and their first-ever Champions League title in the 2022/2023 season. The Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup victories further solidified City’s status as one of the top teams in world football.
His decision to stay on until 2025, even after initially planning to retire earlier, shows his dedication to the club. Manchester City will honour Begiristain’s legacy towards the end of the season, and he will undoubtedly be always remembered as one of the main architects of the club’s golden era.
Manchester City’s acquisition of Hugo Viana marks the beginning of a new chapter for the club. With Txiki Begiristain set to retire, Viana’s experience and expertise will be crucial in maintaining the club’s standards and dominance. While Newcastle United offered strong competition, City’s elite level and appeal ultimately convinced Viana.
